January 28, 1961
Eight fire fighters die in one of the worst fire tragedies in the history of Chicago when the wall of a six-story building collapses and buries them under an avalanche of fiery concrete, brick, timbers and dust. The stage for the tragedy was set when several fire fighters, atop a two-story loft directing hose streams, suddenly became engulfed in flames. A score of fire fighters clambered to their rescue when the wall gave way. Within minutes the other walls of the structure gave way, injuring numerous fire fighters and burying several pieces of apparatus. Many fire fighters fought their way to safety through fire, smoke and dust.
